The center back has been out since breaking his foot in preseason, but has participated in full training over the past couple of weeks and could even feature in the Red Devils' trip to the Sports Direct Arena this weekend.

With Phil Jones and captain Nemanja Vidic still sidelined, Sir Alex is pleased to be welcoming Smalling back into the fold.

"Smalling has a chance to come back - Jones and Vidic, obviously not," Sir Alex told Sky Sports. "Ashley Young will start training while the internationals are on, particularly in the second week.

"At a stretch Young could maybe make the game against Stoke but, certainly Smalling, he will have done enough training on the football side [for this weekend]. Particularly as we have had a problem with centre-backs, that is a blessing for us."